Performing well doesn't just make you a good captain! Having the ability to score runs or take wickets is unrelated to how you think about match situations and field placings, or simply leading a group of men! Ern, it is folly to simply consider a captain on the number of runs they score or wickets they take - their leadership credentials are paramount and both Vaughan and Strauss have those in abundance compared with Flintoff, and had demonstrated it before being made England captain.

Consider win ratios, especially Vaughan vs Flintoff. If you choose to take out Strauss, who led us to our best ODI series result since 2005 (when Vaughan was captain!) against Pakistan, then Vaughan's win record - and he captained against every team in world cricket - is infinitely better. Six series wins in a row and an Ashes reclaimation vs Flintoff's 2 wins, a series draw against Sri Lanka and an Ashes defeat (possible whitewash?!), now that is no contest!